interview :: lindsey lang

I have been bumping into Lindsey Lang at trade shows since we met at Pulse last June. From the day she launched her eponymous brand, it’s had a sense of always having been around. I thought it was high time I interviewed Lindsey, so here’s what we talked about…

What’s the most important thing to know about you?

I love what I do, and being a designer is such a privilege. I believe that nothing worth doing is easy. So, I work really hard to make sure that I am constantly challenging myself. On a lighter side, I have also learned that life is too short to be serious all the time so it is important to make time for fun with friends and family.

What inspires your designs? They have a very mid-century feel – where does your love of that era come from?

There is a stylish and timeless elegance in this era that I hope to incorporate into my work. I remember looking at my grandmother’s old collections of Time Magazine when I was a child – pictures of Grace Kelly and adverts from a different era. Even after studying many different types of art at university, I always gravitated towards the colour, fashion, art, and designs from this period. I still visit thrift shops and vintage stores where I continue to collect old adverts, pictures, records, and fabrics.

Your products have a very sophisticated colour palette – how do you choose your colours?

Thank you! I would say that most of my colour decisions are intuitive. I simply stick with what I like. Sometimes that means that I can work on colourways for a really long time before making a commitment. Also, it really depends on the product. My kitchenware and cushions are bright and bold, while many of the wall and flooring tiles are more neutral.

I really have to ensure that each pattern and colourway has longevity and is fit for purpose. Every time I create a new design I ask myself, “Would I want to live with this in my home forever?”. I won’t put anything into production unless the answer is “yes”.

Talk me through your design process from initial inspiration to final product.

I need a clear workspace and mindset. I try to go to yoga twice a week, which helps me keep a clear headspace. I never really stop thinking about ideas and designs so I often have an idea of what I want to develop. I usually begin a project by cracking out loads of ideas. It’s like painting numerous canvases at the same time. During this development process new solutions are revealed. Once I hit that moment where I feel excited about a particular design – I will get knots in my stomach, then I develop variations to make sure that all the options have been explored. Then, the most important thing for me to do is step away for a good night’s sleep!

When it’s time for me to make a commitment to a design, I put it into production. I create all of the product drawings and pattern layouts for my studio or factory to work from. Every detail must be meticulously planned out to ensure a minimal margin of error. Once the sample is approved, we’re ready to launch!

What’s your favourite part of the process?

I really do love it all, but it doesn’t get much better than seeing my products in situ. Wall and flooring installations are particularly exciting, and I love it when my clients are delighted with the finished result.

What does a really good day and a really bad day in the life of Lindsey Lang look like?

Most days are good, and I like that my days are varied between factory visits, meetings, planning, designing and such. But, a really really good day would be Sunday morning breakfast with my husband after yoga and then a full day of designing.

I try to block out the bad days, but days usually go badly when something in production comes back wrong or when a shipment is delayed. I take our customer service really seriously so my top priority is to make sure that delays never affect my customers.

What are you most proud of?

Personally, I’ve only had my business for a couple of years so I feel like there is a long road ahead but, I am really proud to be able to do what I do for a living. Creatively, I am really proud when customers enjoy my products and send us pictures. That is such a joy!

What advice would you give to an aspiring surface pattern designer?

Be really honest with yourself and remain inquisitive. Also, if your business plans don’t scare you even just a little bit, then you probably aren’t pushing yourself hard enough.

Tell me a secret!

I am absolutely fascinated by dinosaurs and wanted to be an archaeologist when I was little. I also wanted to be a pilot or a veterinarian so my options were wide open!

What’s your favourite colour?

It’s a toss up between yellow and orange. Let’s go with yellow-orange!

Further reading for the especially geeky:

• interview :: the new craftsmen
• interview :: aino-maija metsola
• interview :: bethan john
• interview :: christopher berry